Klawer e-Centre Relaunched Following Revamp

The West Coast small town of Klawer is popular for hiking and 4x4 trails and river rafting. Little is known to the outside world how the small town continues to bridge the digital divide through its community-based e-Centre.

The Klawer e-Centre - which first opened its doors in March 2008 - was housed in the St James Church with one administrator and seven computers. The centre's purpose was to introduce information and communication technologies (ICTs) and computer literacy to the community, most of whom had no knowledge of computers. Soon after opening its doors, the centre became popular with the town's youth while gradually capturing the attention of the older generation as well.

In its early days, the centre only offered basic computer literacy and internet access training. As the community started experiencing the power of ICTs, the centre became an important part of their lives. They were now able to access the internet to look for jobs, conduct research and complete school projects.

Four years later, the e-Centre continues to offer ICT and computer training to the Klawer community. The centre was officially relaunched by the Western Cape Government's Cape Access programme on 22 October 2011. Now located at the Klawer Community Centre, the e-Centre boasts 12 new computers - all equipped with faster internet connection. For the first time, the centre now offers the International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL) - an internationally accredited ICT qualification.

Other ICT aspects that the community will benefit from the centre include:

• Computer literacy training
• Office productivity training
• Internet end-user course

About Cape Access

The Cape Access project is an initiative by the Western Cape Government. It is run by e-Government for Citizens, a directorate in the Department of the Premier.

The goal of Cape Access is to place computers with internet connections in public libraries, schools, multi-purpose centres and other access points for use by anyone. Usage is free of charge, but each user gets allocated limited time. Each computer provides basic software such as word processers and users have access to e-mail and will be assisted to set up their own e-mail address and mailbox.

The project runs 19 e-Centres across the province. The e-Centres are the physical locations where Cape Access provides computers and internet access. Cape Access focuses on placing e-Centres in poor and rural communities, where access to ICTs is limited.

In addition to the e-Centres, Cape Access has established community structures called e-Community forums. Their role is to drive information society projects at the local level and manage the e-Centres. The e-Community forums also host workshops around the use of information and communication technology.

For more information on the Klawer e-Centre and other Cape Access e-Centres, visit the Cape Access website or contact:

Petra Wager
Klawer e-Centre
Cell: 072 397 1183
E-mail: petrawagner25@gmail.com

Kelvin Groeneveldt
Cape Access Programme
Tel: 021 483 4052
Fax: 021 483 8998
E-mail: Kelvin.Groeneveldt@pgwc.gov.za